A fire at the world’s largest battery storage plant in Northern California is smoldering after sending plumes of toxic smoke into the atmosphere.

People living near a power plant in Central California were ordered to evacuate their homes Thursday night after a fire broke out at the facility, officials said.

The fire started at the Vistra Energy battery plant in Moss Landing, roughly 80 miles south of San Francisco. On Thursday, the fire caused 1,700 people to evacuate, closed part of Highway 1, and generated huge flames and significant amounts of smoke. The cause is under investigation.

A fire at one of the world’s largest battery storage plants forced more than 1,000 locals out of their homes, away from potentially toxic smoke. NBC News' Maya Eaglin reports on the conditions at Moss Landing Power Plant,

A massive blaze erupted at one of the world’s largest lithium battery storage facilities in wildfire-ravaged California, forcing some 1,500 residents to evacuate their homes as toxic smoke filled the air.

Many residents in Northern California were told to evacuate Thursday, after a fire broke out at one of the largest

Experts have said that these types of fires will become more prevalent as the demand of electric vehicles and machinery continues to increase.

A fire broke out at one of the world's largest lithium battery storage facilities in Monterey County, California, forcing evacuation orders and closing a portion of coastal Highway 1.

A fire broke out at one of the world's largest lithium battery storage facilities in Monterey County, California, forcing evacuation orders and closing a portion of coastal Highway 1.

A major fire burning Friday at one of the world's largest battery storage plants in Northern California is sending up flames of toxic smoke, leading to the evacuation of 1,700 people and the closure of a major highway.

A fire at the world’s largest battery storage plant in Northern California smoldered Friday after sending plumes of toxic smoke into the atmosphere, leading to the evacuation of up to 1,500 people. The blaze also shook up the young battery storage industry.